Galleys, then ARCs, then… the Book!

My galleys arrived the other day. Those are the printed copies of pages as they will look (as far as spacing and fonts) once they’re actually bound into the final book. As a result, The Bones of the Old Onesis starting to feel more and more real, because now I can see what it will look like when laid out. (After this I’ll see it in an advanced reader’s copy, or ARC… and then the real thing.)

I’ll be spending the next week going over the text a final time. Of course, at this point in the process I really have to keep changes to a minimum because the book is now laid out, and each change here could re-wrap all the words in the entire chapter… and that, as you can probably guess, can be a huge problem and expense.

Once I turn the galleys back over to St. Martin’s/Thomas Dunne Books, I have to start gearing up for the marketing push. One aspect of that will be designing a newer, snazzier web site, but I will also be needing to get out there talking about my book and writing and doing everything I possibly can to spread news that it’s coming soon.

The Desert of Souls had a lot of great reviews from prominent places, but distribution was a little spotty, so I’m hoping that the really thorough distribution for The Bones of the Old Ones will be coupled with additional positive reviews, and that higher sales numbers will be the result. I personally think it’s a stronger book than the first one, but it’s not my opinion that counts. I’ll try not to feel too anxious as the book wanders out into the world, but I do have a career I’m trying to see take wing, so I AM nervous. There’s only so much you can do, and then the book just has to sink or swim on its own.

This time “doing all I can do” is going to be better informed about publicity after learning on the go the last time. I hope I’ll be able to count on those of you who enjoyed the first book to help spread the word.

4 Comments on “Galleys, then ARCs, then… the Book!”

The Desert of Souls is in my TBR pile, and I should get it read and reviewed sometime in the next couple of months. I’ll also be posting a review of The Waters of Eternity between then and the publication of The Bones of the Old Ones. Followed, of course, by a review of Bones.

Howard, having read and enjoyed both Desert and the story collection I’m certainly looking forward to your new novel. I’ve already pre-ordered it for my Kindle. I also wanted to ask you whether you’re planning any more Harold Lamb collections. Last year I finished working my way through the last couple books and I’m afraid that I’m suffering from withdrawal symptoms. In any case I wish you well with your new novel this fall. Randy